Identification of a new Schistosoma mansoni SMYB1 partner: putative roles in RNA metabolism

Parasitology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 140 (9) ◽  
pp. 1085-1095 ◽  
Author(s):  
ELIZÂNGELA A. ROCHA ◽  
ANALINA F. VALADÃO ◽  
CÍNTIA M. REZENDE ◽  
SILVIA REGINA COSTA DIAS ◽  
ANDRÉA M. MACEDO ◽  
...  

SUMMARYSMYB1 is a Schistosoma mansoni protein highly similar to members of the Y-box binding protein family. Similar to other homologues, SMYB1 is able to bind double- and single-stranded DNA, as well as RNA molecules. The characterization of proteins involved in the regulation of gene expression in S. mansoni is of great importance for the understanding of molecular events that control morphological and physiological changes in this parasite. Here we demonstrate that SMYB1 is located in the cytoplasm of cells from different life-cycle stages of S. mansoni, suggesting that this protein is probably acting in mRNA metabolism in the cytoplasm and corroborating previous findings from our group that showed its ability to bind RNA. Protein–protein interactions are important events in all biological processes, since most proteins execute their functions through large supramolecular structures. Yeast two-hybrid screenings using SMYB1 as bait identified a partner in S. mansoni similar to the SmD3 protein of Drosophila melanogaster (SmRNP), which is important in the assembly of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complexes. Also, pull-down assays were conducted using immobilized GST-SMYB1 proteins and confirmed the SMYB1-SmRNP interaction. The interaction of SMYB1 with a protein involved in mRNA processing suggests that it may act in processes such as turnover, transport and stabilization of RNA molecules.

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1578-1589
Author(s):  
L D Fresco ◽  
D S Harper ◽  
J D Keene

Recombinant A' protein could be reconstituted into U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) upon addition to HeLa cell extracts as determined by coimmunoprecipitation and particle density; however, direct binding to U2 RNA could not be demonstrated except in the presence of the U2 snRNP B" protein. Mutational analysis indicated that a central core region of A' was required for particle reconstitution. This region consists of five tandem repeats of approximately 24 amino acids each that exhibit a periodicity of leucine and asparagine residues that is distinct from the leucine zipper. Similar leucine-rich (Leu-Leu motif) repeats are characteristic of a diverse array of soluble and membrane-associated proteins from yeasts to humans but have not been reported previously to reside in nuclear proteins. Several of these proteins, including Toll, chaoptin, RNase/angiogenin inhibitors, lutropin-choriogonadotropin receptor, carboxypeptidase N, adenylyl cyclase, CD14, and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Rev, may be involved in protein-protein interactions. Our findings suggest that in cell extracts the Leu-Leu motif of A' is required for reconstitution with U2 snRNPs and perhaps with other components involved in splicing through protein-protein interactions.


1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 6635-6646
Author(s):  
J A Diehl ◽  
M Hannink

Protein-protein interactions between the CCAAT box enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBP) and the Rel family of transcription factors have been implicated in the regulation of cytokine gene expression. We have used sequence-specific DNA affinity chromatography to purify a complex from avian T cells that binds to a consensus C/EBP motif. Our results provide evidence that Rel-related proteins are components of the C/EBP-DNA complex as a result of protein-protein interactions with the C/EBP proteins. A polyclonal antiserum raised against the Rel homology domain of v-Rel and antisera raised against two human RelA-derived peptides specifically induced a supershift of the C/EBP-DNA complex in mobility shift assays using the affinity-purified C/EBP. In addition, several kappa B-binding proteins copurified with the avian C/EBP complex through two rounds of sequence-specific DNA affinity chromatography. The kappa B-binding proteins are distinct from the C/EBP proteins that directly contact DNA containing the C/EBP binding site. The identification of a protein complex that binds specifically to a consensus C/EBP site and contains both C/EBP and Rel family members suggests a novel mechanism for regulation of gene expression by Rel family proteins.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 897-905
Author(s):  
Castillo-Maldonado Irais ◽  
Sevilla-González María-de-la-Luz ◽  
Delgadillo-Guzmán Dealmy ◽  
Ramírez-Moreno Agustina ◽  
Cabral-Hipólito Nidia ◽  
...  

Background: Pathogens use multiple mechanisms to disrupt cell functioning in their host and allow pathogenesis. These mechanisms involve communication between the pathogen and the host cell through protein-protein interactions. Methods: Protein-protein interactions chains referred to as signal transduction pathways are the processes by which a chemical or physical signal transmits through a cell as series of molecular events so the pathogen needs to intercept these molecular pathways at few positions to induce pathogenesis such as pathogen viability, infection or hypersensitivity. Results: The pathogen nodes of interception are not necessarily the most immunogenic; so that novel immunogenicity-improvement strategies need to be developed thought a chemical conjugation of the pathogen-carrier nodes to develop an efficient immune response in order to block pathogenesis. On the other hand, if pathogen-carriers are immunogens; toleration ought to be induced by this conjugation avoiding hypersensitivity. Thus, this paper addresses the biological plausibility of plant-phenolics as pathogen-carrier immunogenicity modulator haptens. Conclusion: The plant-phenolic compounds have in their structure functional groups such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, ester, or ether, capable of reacting with the amino or carbonyl groups of the amino acids of a pathogen-carrier to form conjugates. Besides, the varied carbon structures these phenolic compounds have; it is possible to alter the pathogen-carrier related factors that determine the immunogenicity: 1) Structural complexity, 2) Molecular size, 3) Structural heterogeneity, 4) Accessibility to antigenic determinants or epitopes, 5) Optical configuration, 6) Physical state, or 7) Molecular rigidity.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed N Shah

Histones H3/H4 are deposited onto DNA in a replication-dependent or independent fashion by the CAF1 and HIRA protein complexes. Despite the identification of these protein complexes, mechanistic details remain unclear. Recently, we showed that in T. thermophila histone chaperones Nrp1, Asf1 and the Impβ6 importin function together to transport newly synthesized H3/H4 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. To characterize chromatin assembly proteins in T.thermophila, I used affinity purification combined with mass spectrometry to identify protein-protein interactions of Nrp1, Cac2 subunit of CAF1, HIRA and histone modifying Hat1-complex in T. thermophila. I found that the three-subunit T.thermophila CAF1 complex interacts with Casein Kinase 2 (CKII), possibly accounting for previously reported human CAF1phosphorylation. I also found that Hat2 subunit of HAT1 complex is also shared by CAF1 complex as its Cac3 subunit. This suggests that Hat2/Cac3 might exist in two separate pools of protein complexes. Remarkably, proteomic analysis of Hat2/Cac3 in turn revealed that it forms several complexes with other proteins including SIN3, RXT3, LIN9 and TESMIN, all of which have known roles in the regulation of gene expression. Finally, I asked how selective forces might have impacted on the function of proteins involved in H3/H4 transport. Focusing on NASP which possesses several TPR motifs, I showed that its protein-protein interactions are conserved in T. thermophila. Using molecular evolutionary methods I show that different TPRs in NASP evolve at different rates possibly accounting for the functional diversity observed among different family members.


2011 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 627-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colette Dissous ◽  
Christoph G Grevelding ◽  
Thavy Long

Polo-like kinases are important regulators of cell cycle progression and mitosis. They constitute a family of conserved serine/threonine kinases which are highly related in their catalytic domains and contain polo boxes involved in protein-protein interactions and subcellular localization. In mammals, five Plks (Plk 1-5) encompass diverse roles in centrosome dynamics, spindle formation, intra S-phase and G2/M checkpoints and DNA damage response. Plk1 is a key positive regulator of mitosis and is overexpressed in various types of cancers. Plk4 is a divergent member of the Plk family, with essential functions in centriole duplication. Homozygous disruption of Plk1 or Plk4 in mice is lethal in embryos. Two Plk members SmPlk1 and SmSak, homologous to Plk1 and Plk4 respectively, are present in the parasitic platyhelminth Schistosoma mansoni. Structural and functional analyses of SmPlk1 have demonstrated its conserved function in the regulation of cell cycle G2/M transition in Xenopus oocytes. The anti-cancer drug BI 2536 (the most potent and selective Plk1 inhibitor) inhibits specifically the catalytic activity of SmPlk1 and induced profound alterations in schistosome gonads, indicating a role of SmPlk1 in parasite gametogenesis and its potential as a novel chemotherapeutic target against schistosomiasis. Functions of SmSak in cell cycle regulation and schistosome gonad development are currently investigated


2017 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. 85-94
Author(s):  
Paushali Roy ◽  
Abhijit Datta

During RNA interference in plants, Dicer-like/DCL proteins process longer double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) precursors into small RNA molecules. In Arabidopsis thaliana there are four DCLs (DCL1, DCL2, DCL3, and DCL4) that interact with various associated proteins to carry out this processing. The lack of complete structural-functional information and characterization of DCLs and their associated proteins leads to this study where we have generated the structures by modelling, analysed the structures and studied the interactions of Arabidopsisthaliana DCLs with their associated proteins with the homology-derived models to screen the interacting residues. Structural analyses indicate existence of significant conserved domains that may play imperative roles during protein-protein interactions. The interaction study shows some key domain-domain (including multi-domains and inter-residue interactions) interfaces and specific residue biases (like arginine and leucine) that may help in augmenting the protein expression level during stress responses. Results point towards plausible stable associations to carry out RNA processing in a synchronised pattern by elucidating the structural properties and protein-protein interactions of DCLs that may hold significance for RNAi researchers.


1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1578-1589 ◽  
Author(s):  
L D Fresco ◽  
D S Harper ◽  
J D Keene

Recombinant A' protein could be reconstituted into U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) upon addition to HeLa cell extracts as determined by coimmunoprecipitation and particle density; however, direct binding to U2 RNA could not be demonstrated except in the presence of the U2 snRNP B" protein. Mutational analysis indicated that a central core region of A' was required for particle reconstitution. This region consists of five tandem repeats of approximately 24 amino acids each that exhibit a periodicity of leucine and asparagine residues that is distinct from the leucine zipper. Similar leucine-rich (Leu-Leu motif) repeats are characteristic of a diverse array of soluble and membrane-associated proteins from yeasts to humans but have not been reported previously to reside in nuclear proteins. Several of these proteins, including Toll, chaoptin, RNase/angiogenin inhibitors, lutropin-choriogonadotropin receptor, carboxypeptidase N, adenylyl cyclase, CD14, and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Rev, may be involved in protein-protein interactions. Our findings suggest that in cell extracts the Leu-Leu motif of A' is required for reconstitution with U2 snRNPs and perhaps with other components involved in splicing through protein-protein interactions.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javona White Bear ◽  
James H. McKerrow

AbstractBackgroundSchistosoma mansoni invasion of the human host involves a variety of cross-species protein-protein interactions. The pathogen expresses a diverse arsenal of proteins that facilitate the breach of physical and biochemical barriers present in skin, evasion of the immune system, and digestion of human hemoglobin, allowing schistosomes to reside in the host for years. However, only a small number of specific interactions between S. mansoni and human proteins have been identified. We present and apply a protocol that generates testable predictions of S. mansoni-human protein interactions.MethodsIn this study, we first predict S. mansoni-human protein interactions based on similarity to known protein complexes. Putative interactions were then scored and assessed using several contextual filters, including the use of annotation automatically derived from literature using a simple natural language processing methodology. Our method predicted 7 out of the 10 previously known cross-species interactions.ConclusionsSeveral predictions that warrant experimental follow-up were presented and discussed, including interactions involving potential vaccine candidate antigens, protease inhibition, and immune evasion. The application framework provides an integrated methodology for investigation of host-pathogen interactions and an extensive source of orthogonal data for experimental analysis. We have made the predictions available online for community perusal.Author SummaryThe S. mansoni parasite is the etiological agent of the disease Schistomiasis. However, protein-protein interactions have been experimentally characterized that relate to pathogenesis and establishment of infection. As with many pathogens, the understanding of these interactions is a key component for the development of new vaccines. In this project, we have applied a computational whole-genome comparative approach to aid in the prediction of interactions between S. mansoni and human proteins and to identify important proteins involved in infection. The results of applying this method recapitulate several previously characterized interactions, as well as suggest additional ones as potential therapeutic targets.


1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 3360-3368 ◽  
Author(s):  
J R Patton ◽  
W Habets ◽  
W J van Venrooij ◽  
T Pederson

The U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (U1 snRNP), a cofactor in pre-mRNA splicing, contains three proteins, termed 70K, A, and C, that are not present in the other spliceosome-associated snRNPs. We studied the binding of the A and C proteins to U1 RNA, using a U1 snRNP reconstitution system and an antibody-induced nuclease protection technique. Antibodies that reacted with the A and C proteins induced nuclease protection of the first two stem-loops of U1 RNA in reconstituted U1 snRNP. Detailed analysis of the antibody-induced nuclease protection patterns indicated the existence of relatively long-range protein-protein interactions in the U1 snRNP, with the 5' end of U1 RNA and its associated specific proteins interacting with proteins bound to the Sm domain near the 3' end. UV cross-linking experiments in conjunction with an A-protein-specific antibody demonstrated that the A protein bound directly to the U1 RNA rather than assembling in the U1 snRNP exclusively via protein-protein interactions. This conclusion was supported by additional experiments revealing that the A protein could bind to U1 RNA in the absence of bound 70K and Sm core proteins.


Microbiology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 150 (4) ◽  
pp. 1031-1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen Thomas ◽  
Carol R. Andersson ◽  
Shannon R. Canales ◽  
Susan S. Golden

In this paper a gene (psfR) is reported that regulates psbAI activity in Synechococcus elongatus, a unicellular photoautotrophic cyanobacterium that carries out oxygenic (plant-type) photosynthesis and exhibits global circadian regulation of gene expression. In S. elongatus, a family of three psbA genes encodes the D1 protein of the photosystem II reaction centre. Overexpression of psfR results in increased expression of psbAI, but does not affect the circadian timing of psbAI expression. psfR overexpression affected some, but not all of the genes routinely surveyed for circadian expression. PsfR acts (directly or indirectly) on the psbAI basal promoter region. psfR knockout mutants exhibit wild-type psbAI expression, suggesting that other factors can regulate psbAI expression in the absence of functional PsfR. PsfR contains two receiver-like domains (found in bacterial two-component signal transduction systems), one of which lacks the conserved aspartyl residue required for phosphoryl transfer. PsfR also contains a GGDEF domain. The presence of these domains and the absence of a detectable conserved DNA-binding domain suggest that PsfR may regulate psbAI expression via protein–protein interactions or GGDEF activity (the production of cyclic dinucleotides) rather than direct interaction with the psbAI promoter.


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